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Committee refers proposed ordinance requiring elector signatures for alder vacancy applicants
Summary
The Executive Committee discussed a proposed amendment creating Madison General Ordinance section 2.035 to require elector signatures on applications to fill alder vacancies and voted to refer the proposal to the next full council meeting for further work with clerk’s office.
The Madison Common Council Executive Committee on Aug. 5 discussed a proposed ordinance (to create Madison General Ordinance section 2.035) that would require applicants to fill alder vacancies to submit a petition with elector signatures.
The ordinance sponsor said the change grew out of inconsistent practices when filling vacancies and said the goal was to create a predictable, consistent process. Committee members debated practical details, including how many signatures to require and how much time applicants would have to gather them.
Attorney Haas told the committee that "Subsection 5 says, applicant shall submit completed petitions to the clerk on or before the date established by CCC," making a timeline for submission something the committee would set. Several members urged the sponsor to work with the clerk’s office on clear deadlines and an educational component so first‑time applicants would not be excluded for technical mistakes (for example, submitting 19 valid signatures when the threshold is 20).
A motion to refer the ordinance to the next council meeting was made, seconded and passed without objection. The committee’s referral preserves opportunity for further edits and a potential amendment after consultation with the clerk’s office; no final vote on the ordinance was taken.
The committee also discussed that state law provides the council latitude on vacancy procedures if there are no applicants; Attorney Haas said the statute allows the council to determine its procedures and to act if no applicants come forward.
Action taken: motion to refer to the next council meeting passed; members asked staff and the sponsor to coordinate on timing and applicant guidance before a final vote.
